2023-2024 / SSTG0046-1

Naturalistic building upon applied in conservation

Duration

8d FW

Number of credits

 Master in biology of organisms and ecology (120 ECTS)4 crédits 

Lecturer

Nicolas Magain

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

All year long

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

To be able to identify species around ourselves is a great asset for the general knowledge of biologists. It is also a highly valuable skill on the job market.

Students from the master in organisms biology and ecology come from very diverse backgrounds. The aim of this course is that by the end of the year, everyone can identify the most common and most iconic species of our regions.

You will learn to identify these species during organized field outings, as well as by personal field outings, for example activities organized by NGOs or specialists.

 

The covered taxonomical groups are for fauna:




  • Bats
  • Birds
  • Amphibians and reptiles
  • Butterflies
For flora: angiosperms (flowering plants), gymnosperms (especially conifers) and pteridophytes (ferns and horsetail ferns)

A special focus will be set on species under Natura 2000 protection status.

Biological and ecological aspects of encountered species, and aspects on conservation biology and legal context will be covered.

We will also discuss the importance of observations on online portals. Indeed, this is an essential aspect of citizen science, and allows everyone to contribute to scientific knowledge of biodiversiti in our regions. Opportunistic or focused observations can help quantify the evolution of biodiversity across time.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The mail goal is to learn to identify the most common or characteristic species of our regions. Indeed, identifying and recognizing species is crucial for elaborating conservation projects or impact studies.
Another goal is to link the presence of species with geological and ecological characteristics of the sites.
Finally, bring attention to the threats on some of these species and the different ways to preserve biodiversity in our regions.
This course also requires that the student learns by himself outside of organized classes, which is a crucial aspect for acquiring a solid naturalist knowledge.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

There is no strict prerequisite, but it is useful to have a basic knowledge of botany, zoology and geology, as well as the use of identification keys (such as the blue flora of belgium) and knowing the main habitats and regions of Belgium (as seen in « Biodiversité et Ecologie » in Bloc 2 of bachelor in biological sciences and  « Biodiversité »  in bloc 3).

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course is mostly organized in the field with specialists of the taxonomical groups studied. These field outings are organized all along the academic year and each outing is focused on a specific taxonomic group, even if all species encountered can be covered. Outings on groups not covered by the exam, such as mushrooms, may be organized too.

 

Eight days of outings are organized in Belgium 

A few courses in the classroom will also be organized, including a revision session, and a session on identification of bats during the winter.

All species in the list won't be observed in the field during the course every year, and the student needs to learn to recognize them by himself, in addition to the outings organized by us. 

A notebook, a field lense, binoculars and naturalistic field guides will be useful during field days.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

See French text

Recommended or required readings

All documents and slideshows used will be available on eCampus. Moreover, information about naturalist outings organized in Belgium and other information will be available on the Facebook page « Biologie de la conservation - ULiège (1MBOE & 2MBCBG) ».

 

Recommended books: 

 




  • La Flore bleue de Belgique (J. Lambinon, F. Verloove ; Ed. Jardin Botanique National de Belgique, 6ème edition).
  • Le guide ornitho. Svensson, Mullarney & Zetterström. Ed. Delachaux et Niestlé, 2015.
  • Papillons d'Europe et d'Afrique du Nord. Tolman & .Lewington. Ed. Delachaux et Niestlé, 2010.
  • Clé de détermination photographique des papillons de jour de Belgique, par Stéphane Claerebout, Ed. Léon Woué, réalisé par CNB.
  • L'encyclopédie des chauves-souris d'Europe et d'Afrique du Nord. Dietz, C., von Helversen, O. & Nill, D. Ed. Delachaux et Niestlé, 2009.
  • Les chauves-souris de France, Belgique, Luxembourg et Suisse. Arthur & Lemaire. Ed. Biotopes, 2009.
  • Amphibiens et Reptiles de Wallonie. Jacob J.-P., Percsy C., de Wavrin H., Graitson E., Kinet T., Denoël M., Paquay M., Percsy N. & Remacle A. (2007). Série Faune - Flore - Habitats n° 2. Aves - Raînne et Direction Générale des Ressources naturelles et de l'Environnement, Ministère de la Région wallonne, Namur.
All these books can be found at Maison Liégeoise de L'Environnement (Rue Fusch, near Jardin Botanique).

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

oral exam


Additional information:

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

oral exam

- Remote

oral exam

Written work / report


Additional information:

Any session :

- In-person

oral exam

- Remote

oral exam

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred in-person


Additional information:

The goal of the evaluation is to assess that you have learnt to recognize the typical species of our regions. The first part of the evaluation consists in an oral examination at the end of the year that will check your ability to memorize and recognize species.

 

The student will have to identify twenty animal and twenty plant species among the groups covered during the class. The student will have a list of the organisms he must recognize. Covered groups are: Chiroptera (bats), Birds, Amphibians, Reptiles, Lepidoptera Rhopalocera (butterflies), Angiosperms (flowering plants), Gymnosperms (especially conifers), and Pteridophytes (ferns and horsetail ferns).

The two parts "fauna" and "flora" must be completed, each with a minimum grade of 10/20 so that the exam be completed. If the student only completes one part, he must only present the other part for the second session exam.

The second part of the exam consists in preparing five assignments describing personal activities completed by the student during the year. For example, an inventory of species encountered during a hike, a guided visit of a nature preserve, a naturalist training, or a conference (maximum 1 conference). A list of species encoutenred during each activity must be added to the assignment, and encoded on the portal biogeonet (an introduction to this portal will be provided). Each assignment must be 1-5 pages long. Evaluation criteria are: scientific interest, accuracy, depth of ideas, and quality of writing. If the student has doubts about the suitability of one activity, he can contact the professor at nicolas.magain@uliege.be

The grade will be calculated as follows: exam (70%) - assignments (20%). Presence and participation to outings (10%).

 

All non-justified absences will be sanctioned.

Work placement(s)

N/A

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

We will go to most field outings by car pooling. Students must form groups of 4 or 5 with a driver. Students without a driver needs to contact the professor.

 

List of plates of cars must be provided to the professor before the first class.

Contacts

 

Nicolas Magain

nicolas.magain@uliege.be

Association of one or more MOOCs